Question reference: S6W-00004
- Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 13 May 2021
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 24 May 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what differences in pay there are between the different professional groups that are performing COVID-19 vaccinations, and for what reason some vaccinators delivering the same service are reportedly paid less than others.
Answer
All staff employed to work on the programme are paid in accordance with nationally set terms and conditions and are working to agreed job roles.
A substantive Band 3 vaccinator is paid £20,700 rising to £22,594 (per annum). A Band 5 immunisations nurse is paid £25,100 to £31,649, in line with Agenda for Change rates. Substantive staff from other areas of the health service working overtime and redeployed staff are paid according to their terms and conditions of service. Bank staff who do not also hold contracts of employment with the host health board are paid at the grade and pay band as specified in their bank contract, relating to the role profile pursuant to which they have been deployed.
The Scottish Government has set sessional rates of £230 and £231 for independent contractors (GPs, dentists, optometrists and pharmacists) taking part in the COVID-19 vaccination programme. These rates reflect both the market conditions for hiring these professionals, and the roles being filled in the programme.
The above arrangements have supported the temporary deployment of staff during the initial phases of the vaccination programme, while work is taken forward to build a sustainable vaccination workforce.